The first leg of the new-for-2024 MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series will take place on Friday night, Oct. 11 at MGM Yonkers Raceway with two $75,000 USD divisions.

Its Academic, last year's Dan Patch Award winner for older male trotters, headlines the first grouping (race five). The seven-year-old stallion by Uncle Peter won the $342,466 Spirit Of Massachusetts at Plainridge Park and the $136,986 Tom Aldrich President's Trot at MGM Northfield Park this year and has earned more than $2.77 million lifetime. David Miller is listed to drive from post eight for trainer Ron Burke.

In the second split (race eight), Ari Ferrari J (pictured above), who won the $337,838 Bob Miecuna Invitational Trot at Yonkers last month, drew post eight for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Tony Alagna. He'll face the likes of Chapercraz, this year's Graduate Series champion who landed post six for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke.

Entrants, with listed drivers and trainers, for Friday’s flights are listed below

MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series - Division 1 - Race 5
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. Cecil Hanover - Daniel Dube - Ake Svanstedt
2. Take All Comers - Jordan Stratton - Jim Campbell
3. Ghostly Casper - Pat Lachance - Pat Lachance
4. Diamante Trio IT - George Brennan - Travis Alexander
5. Mississippi Storm - Brent Holland - Tom Fanning
6. Djimon - George Brennan - Mark Steacy
7. Delayed Hanover - Jordan Stratton - Kevin McDermott
8. Its Academic - David Miller - Ron Burke

MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series - Division 2 - Race 8
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. Tachyon - Tyler Buter - Ricky Bucci
2. Tactical Mounds - Scott Zeron - Megan Scran
3. Bestfriend Volo - Yannick Gingras - Nancy Takter
4. Gaines Hanover - Pat Lachance - Pat Lachance
5. Osceola - Jordan Stratton - Gregg McNair
6. Chapercraz - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke
7. Pappardelle - Joe Bongiorno - Joe Bongiorno
8. Ari Ferrari J - Jason Bartlett - Tony Alagna
AE. Khaosan Road - Daniel Dube - Ake Svanstedt

Rounds two and three of the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series are scheduled for Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, with the $250,000 USD final on Nov. 15. The third leg and the final will be conducted at the distance of a mile and a sixteenth.

Yonkers is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time each night at 7 p.m. (EDT).

(Yonkers Raceway)